Here we go, kids...

It's like the mad rush of charitable donations that occcur before the end of the tax year. Only with a lot more high explosives...

Israel is hitting "hundreds" of sites in Gaza. Please note the relative silence from Fatah and Abbas in the West Bank. Got to love "Palestinian" "Unity".

Israel, in my studied opinion, will hit Iran within three weeks, with "Special Emphasis" on the areas in and around Natanz. By "Special Emphasis" I mean the creative application of a staggering amount of air dropped, deep penetrating, ordnance. I would not be surprised if nuclear deep penetrators are used.

To add insult to injury, the Pakistani's have put their forces on high alert and are moving units toward the borders with India. India is rattling saber's like it's going out of town. Great - two nuclear armed powers are about to take roughly a century of animosity and crank it up a notch.

All of this before the current resident of the Office of the President-Elect, begins his "rule". His spokeswoman's term, definitely not mine.

So, to sum up - 2008 has really sucked. I have hope for 2009, but let's call it "cautious optimism", and by that mean I might have to start drinking heavily.

Greatest blog... ever... with pictures

http://fuckyoupenguin.blogspot.com/

I'm amazed I was able to type this through the haze of tears from laughing so hard.


(Hat Tip to the always stellar Ace of Spades ace.mu.nu)

Awesome...

Got this from Rustmeister's Alehouse: http://rustmeister.blogspot.com/

(Click for larger version- the fine print is worth it)

Drunk Blogging 101

OK, so perhaps blogging while blasted is a complete mistake, but here it goes...

***RANT #1***
Spaten Optimator Beer *(From Munich, by G-d) (fu--in' Krauts) is verry, verry tasty, 'specially after 1/2 a bottle of Petit Syrah.

***RANT #2***
The world and everything in it is going to shit. Bad things are on the horizon. Nobody remembers how bad it can get. It will again. Ask the Chinese...

***Rant #3***
Curse me for quoting Whitney Houston, but children are indeed our future.

***Rant #4***
This whole thing made a lot more sense when I started it.

***Rant #5***
Women... man, oh man. What a... (feel free to project)

***Rant #6***
I am finding that I am similar to Steve, Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, Charlotte, Aiden, Alexsandr, Smith, Harry, and John James Preston. F--k you, Mr. King. To those of you who get this reference, kudos. To those, who don't - don't worry about it.

Out,

The Crazed American

PS -------s should stay strong. They should, above all, continue to act as the gentlemen they are. Telling the b--ch where to "step off" gains nothing. 'Specially before all of your stuff is moved out.

PPS Others will understand when I unload on them during our "session" in the AM. Sorry in advance, but I get eloquent when I am "in my cups". I can't start drinking that early in the AM... To those of you who are in the dark, apologies.

Again,

Out,

The Crazed American

Somebody is busy...

...desperately trying to start a war.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-12-04-new-delhi-airport_N.htm

Looks as though the Indian police forces have decided this time that shooting armed men acting in a threatening fashion makes a certain amount of sense.

Nuclear war anyone?

Awesome Quote: Best Blog comment ever:

Greetings:

Moral Superiority is the Cocaine of the 21st Century.

comment by 11B40 — Tuesday, November 11, 2008 @ 1:52 pm

http://sixmeatbuffet.com/archives/2008/11/11/liberal-economics/

Read the article too...

Wow.

http://www.change.gov/agenda/

Read it. All of it.

While reading it, consider exactly what he is proposing.

Sorry, not proposing - planning.

By all means - comment.

Someone, anyone, please convince me that it's all going to be OK.

I think we may have some interesting times ahead.

Congratulations are Due

I, the Crazed American, offer my sincere congratulations to President-Elect Obama and his team, family and staff. I truly do wish you the best. I hope your term is filled with success for you and for this Great Nation of ours.

As long as you "support and defend the Constitution of the United States" (that includes all the amendments - even the ones you may not agree with), you have my support.

The American people spoke, you won. I got my 5% - that's legitimacy for me, and I live by it.

Sincerely,

The Crazed American


PS. I still think you should jettison Joe Biden. The man has caused the price of Botox to go through the roof. Seen his porcelain smooth forehead recently? I'm 34 and I have A LOT more wrinkles than Mr. Vice President-Elect. Put Colin Powell as VP and I'll feel a lot better about this whole thing.

48 Hours out

See you all on the other side... My last post until the next President is named, or we descend into "Florida 2000" Territory.

If he wins, Obama had better start managing expectations, otherwise he's going to end up being perceived as we were immediately after the fall of Baghdad..

I just want someone to win by more than 5%... that would give it clear legitimacy...

Also if McCain wins by any appreciable number... the News Media and pollsters might be in a whole lot of trouble...

Also, if Obama wins, expect to see Israel "deal" with Iran, or Iran "deal" with Israel, possibly during the last few months of the Bush Administration, if not then, then definitely within the first 6 months of the Obama administration.

Also expect Russian moves twoards former Soviet Republics to ramp up.

Also, "Civilian National Security Force"? What the f--k does that mean?

Molon Labe,

The Crazed American

Not specifics - still slightly political

At this point, I have come to the conclusion of: We're screwed either way.

I would like to call for a landslide. One way or the other. Something that is beyond arguing or anything like that.

This country has some serious problems. Debt, debt, debt.

THERE IS NO CLIMATE CRISIS

I say it again...

There is no climate crisis.

Forecast for the weekend is snow here at the mountain redoubt. Crom be praised!
I digress (but only slightly)- to the topic at hand

Via ace.mu.nu
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/5296

Crazed American Explanation:
Sunspots are an indicator of the magnetic activity and solar wind. The more sunspots we have, the more active the magnetic aspects and more intense the solar wind. The more intense the magnetic activity and solar wind, the fewer cosmic rays reach the earth. The fewer cosmic rays the fewer high altitude clouds are formed (it has been shown that cosmic rays cause high altitude, highly reflective clouds to form). Fewer high altitude clouds, hotter it gets, due to more solar radiation not being reflected back into space.

Let me try to post a picture.

The Sun yesterday:


I thought I saw a sunspot on the above picture, until I realized that it was just a speck of grit on the monitor screen.

From the article:
Britain’s BBC recently reported that the solar wind is now blowing at the weakest rate in more than 50 years, and is also 13 percent cooler than it was 15 years ago.

So this scientist is predicting there to be a massive ozone hole in the Antarctic. If he's right, there is major evidence that there is no Anthropogenic Global Warming.

From the article: Fear of losing the ozone layer’s health protection led to the Montreal Protocol, which has banned CFCs since 1989. But the ban failed to change behavior of the ozone layer over the Antarctic.

So get this folks, we just might have deep-sixed and entire class of inexpensive refrigerants FOR NO REASON AT ALL. Freon, as it may turn out, HAD NO EFFECT ON THE OZONE LAYER.

I ask you, how many billions of dollars did it cost the world to make that switch?

So I take a quote from Ace.mu.nu:

A lack of sunspots has been theorized to translate to low global temperatures which... well, how about that, which we're now currently experiencing.

Meanwhile, a solar scientist has done something Global Warming "Scientists" can never seem to do: He's made a prediction, you see, the truth or falsity of which will directly strengthen or undermine his theories.

Hmm... making predictions based upon theories, said predictions thereby tending to prove or disprove a theory. Who would have thunk it? Apart from Aristotle, I mean.

So if Al Gore and the Alliance for the Climate or whatever the hell his "non-profit" is called (the WE people on who are calling for 100% clean energy in 10 years), were really concerned about the science of it all and really concerned about the health of the planet, they'd put a hold on these silly ads and help to combat inner city crime or something, at least until some of these climate theories are proven out. If this sunspot explanation can be disproved, then I will issue an apology. Problem is Al Gore and his bunch can MAKE NO PREDICTIONS. They have said so, themselves. We must do what they say because they have William H. Macy narrating their well produced TV commercials and we must BELIEVE. So if this Dr. Lu can make a prediction and it actually can be verified, I'd say lets go with the demonstrable science, but what do I know?

So my request is, we might have been wrong about Freon, it looks like a lot of people are wrong about carbon, why not let the science decide? Unless that is a certain former Vice President is more interested in social and economic engineering (and lining his own pockets) under the veneer of "saving the planet".

Crazed American, out.

Bailout...

I have to ask, what the hell is the rush? Why can't we talk about the apportioning of the better part of ONE TRILLION DOLLARS?

If it was really as critical as they all say - don you think they could have found a way to work through Rosh Hashanah? I mean I'm sure a kind and benevolent G-d would not have minded preventing the American Economy from taking.

I've got a bad feeling about this.

I am officially calling bullshit on this one.

The Crazed American is not pleased. I state here for the record - something don't smell right.

I think we're all about to get robbed.

Civil Wars have been started over less...

Rest in Peace...

Paul Newman

Age 83

One of the most famous actors of a generation (Business man, gourmand, and race car driver).

One of the coolest people I have ever met. I was only 14, he was on vacation at the same place my family and I were at. He had been fishing. My brother and I got our picture taken with him.

A slogan from here abouts "The biiger the star, the nicer they are."

Paul Newman, big star, class act.

Godspeed, Mr. Newman.

NetFlix

So I signed up - let's see how many movies I can watch while still being a productive member of society, shall we?

Quick Movie Review:

I Am Legend

Will Smith can act, however, so can the dog. Dang. That dog and Will were good. Will may be a Scientologist now, but, I still like his movies... Sue me. Wish it had gone a tad closer to the book, but still a watchable film.

Rating: $4.25 (got my money's worth) (do not need to own)

Transformers

Good flick, entertaining as heck. Michael Bay should really try to let the camera stay stationary once...

Rating: $4.25 (got my money's worth) (do not need to own)

Joe Biden is an @$$hat.

He is an a$hat. Really.

To illustrate this I present the following:

People's exhibit A:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/oh-that-joe--12.html

Direct quote right from the ABCNews.com article:

"There are two people -- you've heard me say it before -- two groups that stand between us and the barbarians at the gate," Biden said. "It's you and organized labor. That's it. That is it. So, mark my words, mark my words, if we lose this election, you are going to continue to see a continuation of the onslaught on everything we care about. For real. For real. So, I'm not only thanking you for your help. I would think you're all absolutely brain-dead if you didn't help. And I mean it."

Biden said that he's "done more than any other senator combined" for trial lawyers.

And he'll be #2 in the federal gov't! Yeah! 'Cause I want a friend of Trial Lawyers as the President of the Senate. Thanks for the high costs of healtcare guys! What else can you f--k up?

Exhibit B:
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/32041

When speaking to an environmentalist yesterday:
“We’re not supporting clean coal.”

He went on to say that China could build them - but we were not going to build coal fired power plants.

Three or four days ago he said (to a group of coal workers):
“You know we have enough coal in the United States of America to meet out needs domestically for the better part of the next hundred to 200 years.”

Where do I have to plug in my electric car again?!?

To reiterate - if we can't build any more coal fired plants - even though clean coal is an abundant and cheap source of power - and the alternative sources of energy are still 5-10 years off - where do we get the power to keep our economy going?

Crickets.

Exhibit #3:
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/23/not-bidens-tuzla-dash-but-getting-closer/

“If you want to know where Al Qaeda lives, you want to know where Bin Laden is, come back to Afghanistan with me,” Biden said. “Come back to the area where my helicopter was forced down, with a three-star general and three senators at 10,500 feet in the middle of those mountains. I can tell you where they are.”

Counterpoint from Senator John F. Kerry:

“The weather closed in on us,” Kerry told the AP at the time in a phone interview from Turkey. “It went pretty blind, pretty fast and we were around some pretty dangerous ridges. So the pilot exercised his judgment that we were better off putting down there, and we all agreed…We sat up there and traded stories.”

Kerry joked, “We were going to send Biden out to fight the Taliban with snowballs, but we didn’t have to do it…Other than getting a little cold, it was fine.”

Joe Biden's helo was forced down by weather.
Not the Taliban. Unless - the Taliban has the cool COBRA weather weapon from the GI Joe Movie (cartoon from the 1980's)... Get the CIA on it!

This blog entry is objective. Everything in quotes was written or said by the person it was attributed.

Obama erred (big time) in his choice of running mate.

Also, Jumpin' Joe was an author of the original Global Warming protection legislation (we all know how the Crazed American feels about Anthropoegenic Global Warming - so sorry we call it the Climate Crisis now, don't we? What a crock of sh!t). He was also a signatory and co sponsor of the patently ridiculous and ineffective "Firearm Cosmetic Feature Ban" otherwise known as the "1994 Assault Weapons Ban". I state that it was ineffective because when it expired in 2004 the country did not spiral into anarchy and chaos. In fact, crime rate nation wide has gone down. By the way, he has already stated that he'd vote for another one.

Homage to Richard Dawson: "Survey says!: RZRZRZRZRZRZRZRZRZRZR!"

Personal note from the Crazed American to Senator Barack "Angel of Sunshine" Obama.

Jettison Joe. Then we'll talk.


*****MAJOR NEWS ALERT******

DATELINE - XANADU
The Crazed American has decided to not post on any more on politics dealing with the coming election. It's pointless. People who are on one side will sling mud at those heading the ticket for the other side.

I might post on the possibles of the election aftermath.

Let's just say right now I hope for a landslide (one side or the other... really) I have a feeling that if this election is close enough, it will make Florida 2000 look like a picnic in a field of flowers on a mountain side.

I have come to this decision due the fact that it, as of right now really doesn't matter. With the impending / looming financial Sh!t Sandwich that's about to hit us, I have determined that it really doesn't matter who is in charge. Our currency is almost worthless (wait to see if that bailout passes - if it doesn't - we may, in fact, be screwed), our economy is in tatters. We the People have fallen down on the job. We've let the plutocrats in Washington run the whole ship into the ground. Because we all have been too lazy, too complacent in our wealth to stand up and pay attention to the people that we elect to represent us.

Our Problem: WE ELECTED PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF US. Not represent us.

We pull the lever on election day and stop thinking about the process. We do not insist on accountability.

I shoulder my part of the blame.

So from now on, I will blog about the sunny things in life: my family, the stripped AR lower I'm going to go out and buy and stick in my sock drawer (worth it's weight in gold when that new AW ban get's passed - yea! me!), and the awesomeness of the upcoming ski season!

I leave you all with the following nugget of wisdom:

When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. -- Benjamin Franklin

Enjoy your $700,000,000,000 bailout *(if it happens). Add that to the $9,788,658,389,611.01 that we already have - and you get - - - an even larger number! (thanks to: http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/)

Needless to say, I might not be able to sleep very well tonight.

Fascinating

Fascinating times in which we live.

Two unimpressive candidates running for President.

The war in Iraq is winding down. If all goes as it looks like it might the US can probably claim a victory. Afghanistan is still a work in progress.

Stock markets are all over the place.

Global economy seems to be teetering on the edge of something.

Bailouts might double the size of the Federal Debt.

So the important question I have to put to the assembled legion of loyal reader(s):

Do I sign up for NetFlix?

...and what appetizer goes best with Mojitos?

Hmmm...

Sarah Palin

OK,

Haven't been commenting on the conventions. Sorry about that.

I don't like Joe Biden - I have to admit that when he talks I get a bout of "sudden onset Colitis" - needless to say, I didn't watch his speech.

Did watch (and listen to) Senator Obama speak. Well done piece of rhetoric. Nice Greek columns.

Did watch Michael Steele, Romney, Huckabee, Guiliani, the Governor of Hawai'i and Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska speak this evening.

Durn good speech.

The libertarian (small L) Crazed American likes all of the talk of lower taxes and less government. Can I just vote for her?

(Before I get any comments about some form of contrived hypocrisy that some might try to find with the whole abstinence only education that Governor Palin put into effect and the pregnancy of her 17 year old daughter, I would say "Teenagers have been having sex for the longest time" and I don't have to agree with every position to elect someone to be my voice in a future government - I only need to have someone who shares a good portion of my views)

So I put forth to you items that the Crazed American Holds dear - my checklist, if you will:

1) Freedom - Small (tiny really: Interstate Highways, Courts, National Defense, FAA, FDA - you can shove the balance of it to the states - who should be handling those things anyway) Gov't - The Crazed American Votes for who will decrease the size and scope and power of the American Government - McCain's McCain/ Feingold Campaign Finance Reform act stifles the 1st Amendment and protects entrenched incumbents. Obama Talks a good game but has nothing by which to judge. Biden is a j@ck@$$. Advantage: McCain/Palin

2) Lower Taxes - Who ever will keep my taxes lower, I will support. It is a proven effect. When you lower taxes, the economy grows, and the government gets more dough. Advantage: McCain/Palin

3) Abortion - the Crazed American has to take a - SHOCK - Hillary! position - I think it should be safe, legal and above all: rare. It should be left up to the states to decide. I do not find any mention of it in the Constitution, therefore according to the letter of the law, it is not an issue that the Federal Gov't should be concerned with. Don't Care - not an issue for me, 'cause I realize that President's don't get to make laws - they enforce them. Advantage: DRAW

4) Drugs - The War on Drugs is a massive waste of money. Increase funding into addiction research, legalize certain things, but otherwise treat it as the medical problem that it is. Advantage : DRAW

5) 2nd Amendment: Obama and Biden are both stridently for taking way the right to bear arms from Americans. McCain has stated that me might vote for another inappropriately named "Assault Weapons Ban". The Right Honorable Madame Governor has been hunting Moose, Elk, Bear, and assorted other mega fauna, has been an outspoken proponent for American to keep and bear arms. Advantage: McCain/Palin.

So, already shaping up that I cannot support Obama/Biden (Biden's a tool - I really am not big on Senator Obama's running mate choice). Someone said the Obama's written two autobiographies, but has yet to write or sponsor a single piece of legislation. McCain and Palin have at the least, done something concrete that people can point.

I would like to say that I respect Gov. Palin.

Palin '12? Too early?

Joe Biden is a blowhard that likes to hear himself talk.

***NEXT TOPIC***
(Still Political, though)

I have a feeling that the long knives in the good ol' Democrat Party are about to come out. Were on the verge of a little internecine warfare. Hillary! will not want to run for President when she's 72... If she wants to be President, then Obama can't win (or if he does - he'll be a single term president). Make no mistake, the Clintonites are still out there and still a viable force. Legion are those who have underestimated the Clintons and suffered for it.

I wouldn't be surprised if just before election day Hillary and Bill pull the rug out from Obama/Biden...

This is going to be a d-mn interesting race...

Change

Things, they are a changin'...

Obama's picking Joe "Mr. Plagiarist" Biden. Not exactly the paradigm shift that Mr. Rhetoric led us to believe. One of the biggest figures of the modern Democrat-socialist movement. Say what you want about Senator Biden, he does certainly love the sound of his own voice, especially when complimenting his soon to be boss on being "Clean and articulate". Oh, and in August 2007 he said that Barack Obama was not in any way, shape or form, ready to be president. Guess that whole year has prepared him. Also, I'm not exactly sure what "Foriegn Policy" credentials he is supposed to have? Chairing a Senatorial committee? Racking up frequent flyer miles? I put it out there to any Obama supporters/ apologists, please educate me?

I personally can't wait for the shit slinging, banner waving, rioting that will be sure to distinguish the Democrat party convention even more than the great "Do Nothing" Congress lead by Pelosi and Reed. Recreate '68? I wasn't around for that one, but I hear it got pretty durn nasty. Hillary's people are now calling them selves PUMAs (Party Unity My Ass). This ought to be good.

The more fractious it is, the less people will vote for Democrats.

Problem is, we're getting shit from the Republicans too.

For the record, I admire the hell out of John McCain's service in the United States Navy. I state categorically that he gets the Official "Crazed American Seal of Sheer Bad-Assery" for his time served in the Untied States Navy and as a POW. I haven't cared for him all that much in his years in Congress, but I haven't had to - he's not my Senator. My senators are two Republican idiots. (Damn, I do LOVE the First Amendment)

John McCain can't even remember how many houses he owns. John - got news for you - I don't even follow your campaign and I know how many houses you own.

Answer: ZERO. Nada. ZILCH. Bupkus.

Your wife and her multitudinous trust fund owns whatever you own. You get your Senatorial Salary, Navy disability and retirement (these are not insignificant amounts, though, they just pale in comparison to Cindy McCain's dough). Your (and by Your, I mean her) accountant gives you an allowance. Your accountants probably have everything in her name. Smart, since you can release your financial records and she won't.

So - Crazed American Political status report - still not voting for either of the bastards. I might vote for Barr or Nader - I will flip a coin. Seemed to work OK for Harvey "Two Face" Dent in the Dark Knight. Or I will write in my Dad (he already said he would not serve if elected - so that would be a wasted vote) or Vladimir Putin. Taxes are lower in Russia than they are in the United States...

So next January I'll have a new President. I hope to Mr. Jesus H. Christ, Buddha, Vishnu, and Mohammed that in the scant days between Election day and inauguration day that the winner actually might sit down and read the Constitution.

So I issue a challenge: Any Obama Supporters / Apologists or any McCain Supporters / Apologists - please offer me some reasoned discourse on which candidate is going to increase my freedom over the next four years?

Just a thought. It's late now - I'm going to bed.

Obama Biden 08 (really?)


P.S. Sorry for the infrequent posting.

Book Review: 47th Samurai

So a real quick book review.

47th Samurai (http://www.amazon.com/47th-Samurai-Bob-Swagger-Novel/dp/0743238095)

Overall impressions:

This is a good, "sit on an airplane and read" book. I read it all in less than 24 hours due to a confluence of events.

1) I was on an airplane for about 8 hours all told.
2) My daughter is wonderful and whiled away the hours by coloring, watching her DVD player and taking a very long nap
3) Hunter writes in a great style and it is easy reading.

If you read the reviews on Amazon, you will find that a good many people were not thrilled by this one. I found it to be an entertaining read, if you didn't think about it too hard. It's a movie that I'd only go and see once. It was entertaining, but at times blatantly unbelievable.

So if you're a fan of Hunter, and his Swagger Chronicles (which I am), then by all means give it a read. It's a page turner, if you turn the analytical part of your brain off. Also, Bob the Nailer doesn't even pick up a gun, any gun, throughout the work.

Upon reflection, I probably should have saved my dough and got this one at the library, but since I own every other fiction work the man has done, I have to keep the collection complete.

I'd give it a 5 of 10 with Point of Impact being a 10.
Not Hunter's best work, but it tides me over until Night of Thunder which comes out in September. I have a feeling there might not be any Katanas in that one...

Crazed American, out.

Quick Political Rant

OK.

State for the fact I don't like either of the Candidates.

But I find this just a tad priceless...

I do a typical quick scan f the major news outlets (BBC, CNN, Fox, Drudge, Ace...)

I see this: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1816620,00.html

Edwards on Obama's veep list?

Bad news Senator. Edwards is a hypocritical, pandering idiot. Democrat friend of mine described him as that not, but a few days ago. But apparently my Democrat Friend was slightly off base when he described him as "hypocritical, pandering". Apparently he should have used "hypocritical, pandering, and philandering".

For evidence I must point you to this: http://www.nationalenquirer.com/sen_john_edwards_caught_with_mistress_and_love_child_in_la_hotel/celebrity/65193

But it's the National Enquirer, you say.

Exactly, they know they'll get slammed with a few hefty libel suits, so I'm sure they wouldn't come out with this (again) unless they've got some evidence.

He of course denies it. All the National Enquirer boys and girls have to do is show Mr. Edwards was in the lobby of the hotel when they say he was in the hotel. I betcha somebody has a copy of the hotels CCTV DVD's right now...

Nice try Johnny boy. Booty calls ('round 3am) at LA hotels with campaign staffer baby-sitting the love child - next door, whilst cancer-stricken wife is sick and two young children are at home in NC? Classy.

Further "Crazed American" advice to the Obama campaign: Cross the Former Senator John Edwards off of the list. He can campaign for you (if you want him to), but no more talk of him being in the administration in any capacity. Spare me Mr. Edwards tearful confession to his "possibly dying wife" that he's sought solace in the arms of another woman - a confession that I'm sure Team Edwards will get Oprah to host.

What's the deal with this loser? He was a lackluster senator (Didn't even serve a full term), crappy running mate the first go 'round - so just why is he on the supposed "short list"?!?

Politicians being unfaithful to their spouses is one thing, but when small children are involved, just makes the Papa Bear int he Crazed American more than a little irritated.

Pick Edwards, you get a (proven LOSER) wealthy/ champion of the poor and downtrodden philanderer in the administration. Hell, no one's got much ammunition to say that Hillary! ever cheated on Bill (I'm not to the point where I'm buying the out-there lesbian rumors, either).

Now would be a good time for Hillary! to announce that she's divorcing Bill. That might show me that Hillary! has a little bit of self respect, and self confidence. That'd be the only way I'd possibly vote for an Obama / Clinton Ticket.

John McCain is old. He's a little bit scary and does not really inspire me.

As I've said before, Obama picks General / Secretary Colin Powell as a running mate, I might just have to believe in Hope and Change...

Come on, surely there are some people out there who might step forward and lead this great nation?

Quick political rant

OK, dear reader(s) -- -

Looks like (at this moment in time, and that can change, 'cause all parties involved are incredibly dumb at times), We soon will have a President Barack Hussein Obama (will Chief Justice Roberts be allowed to say his middle name when he's administering the oath of office?!?).

I am no thrilled by this prospect. I am ever so slightly more enthusiastic about John "Mr. Global Warming Cap and Trade wealth redistribution" McCain.

At this point I have to vote for McCain. There is one scenario that might see me vote the other way, though...

In a nightmare scenario - McCain goes for some segment of the electorate and picks the religious bigot Mike Huckabee as his VP. To further that nightmare, Obama picks someone out of right field, to some unexpected, to some expected: Former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, USA (Ret.).

If that confluence of events transpires, I vote for the "skinny kid with the big ears and the funny name".

We'll see...

Either way, I am not thrilled at the prospects. Although either of them is better than Hillary!, so I guess I'm lucky in that regard...

Anthropogenic Global Warming - been a while...

So I thought I'd put a link out there to my new Hero -

Dr. John Coleman - a man who know a few things about meteorology, climatology and a few other -ologies, I'm sure:

http://www.kusi.com/weather/colemanscorner/19842304.html

Read it!

Especially read it if you need to fill up your car any time soon...

- when you do say a Amen! to Democrats and ineffective Republicans in Congress and Al "Inverter of the Interwebs and Destroyer of the American Economy and Way of Life" Gore.

America must drill. Now. Continental Shelf and ANWAR and, hell my backyard, if there's any oil there. Do it responsibly and for profit. As much profit as you can make for your stockholders and employees.

The Crazed American is sick and f---ing tired of the march to Socialism our government (both parties) is taking.

I will not stand for it.

Well, this weekend, I'll stand for it. I'm going camping.

Do I need to pay a carbon tax on the campfire I'm going to have?

Crazed American, setting a course for the high Uintas.

If you're lucky, I may post some pictures.

Crazed American, out.

What does it take?

I realize that i have to do a better job of posting... To all of my wonderful reader(s), I heartily apologize.

To sum up my life up until now:

I am not real pleased about either choice for president. Also, not exactly sure how Bob "Mr. War on Drugs and I Don't Like Gay People" Barr is a Libertarian...

Both candidates are pledging to remove "obscene profits" from all corporations. Marxism. Bolshevism. Communism. National Socialism.

American is best when it's people are free to succeed or fail.

The Crazed American is not real thrilled about the prospects for the fall. I may still vote for Fred Thompson. Or my Dad. I really don't see myself voting for John McCain. Definitely not Barry O.

Also, Barry O should release his birth certificate. I mean, what , is he worried about identity theft? John McCain had to release his when they had the whole Canal Zone Birth issue.

What a bunch of morons.

***

Read an excellent work - read the whole thing in 2 days. Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air - dang! Made me want to climb Medium and small sized mountains. You can go ahead and keep the real tall ones.

Reading another interesting book: WARDAY by Whitley Streiber and Jim Kunetka. Great book - written in 1984 about the aftermath of a "limited" nuclear war in 1988. Exhaustively researched, and a real good yarn. Written in kind of a method that might have been looked at by Max Brooks before he wrote World War Z


Other than that - it snowed this morning. Of course, I do live at 7000 feet ASL.

It did not suck.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Started GREAT. First 60 minutes were fabulous.
Next 30 minutes were good.

'bout the time we got to the last waterfall I found myself muttering "come on".

Moose remarked that we probably witnessed the greatest feat of Russian engineering, and amphibious vehicle that didn't rust to a stop at the first contact with water.

The ending was a tad, well, shall I just say that it could have been better.

Brought the Young Indiana Jones Adventures in to the official lore - nice.

Overall, initial reaction is that I would rank it just behind Temple of Doom. But not by much.

Highest complement I can pay a film (and I have seen a lot) - "I got my money's worth"

Acting was great - Harrison Ford's older than my Dad. Impressive that he did the majority of his own stunts. Kudos.

John Hurt was great - would have liked to know that character a bit better.

Dr. Jones, I got my money's worth.

Wish Sean Connery had been in it.

Also, note to film directors. This movie is entered as Exhibit #23516625442 that just because you CAN do super fantastic special effects, doesn't necessarily mean you have to. Sometimes less is more...

I have ideas as to where the Indiana Jones films should go from here. That's for a later post.

For the Record: I love Indiana Jones Movies

I have seen all of them to be able to quote from them at length.

A while back I read a summary of the proposed Indiana Jones and the Saucer Men from Mars. I thought - cheesy: nuclear explosions, alien relics and space ships.

ummm....

From CNN.com:http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/21/bts.indiana.jones/index.html

Early reviews of the latest Indiana installment have been mixed, but the Harlem audience was firmly in Indiana's corner. "It gets 10 stars," said one audience member, Robert Egbert. "The sound effects were crazy and the action was off the hook. I loved the space ship!"

I may have to hate George Lucas. Can Congress do something useful? Call it the Han Solo Shoots First Act, it would be to restore Han Solo killing Greedo in Star Wars IV, and then forbidding George Lucas from being allowed to make (or change) any more movies.

I mean really. Don't get me wrong, I am going to see the new Indy Flick tomorrow, (and rewatch Temple of Doom and Last Crusade tonight), but I swear, on the Precious Felt of the Hallowed Fedora (Peace Be Upon It), this movie had better not suck. I am not expecting Schindler's List, or Lawrence of Arabia, but I had better be entertained and not have my (admittedly limited) intelligence mocked. I don't have the highest expectations, but I expect a good, escapist romp, by the Powers of the Almighty Bullwhip (PBUI).

I'll let you know.

Knaves abound...

IN what could be the funniest thing I have read in quite a while, i have stumbled across this

Pulp Fiction (A Slurry Tale) as written by William Shakespeare. http://pulpbard.wikispaces.com/

Highly recommended to all fans of the work of Quentin Tarantino and the OG hisself, William "BillyMack" Shakespeare.

Hurt myself laughing so hard...

(Further proof that there is no amount of time that the intertubes can not lay waste to...)

Battlestar Galactica

I have to admit the fascination with that show has waned a bit for me. Don't get me wrong, it's still the best Sci-Fi show on television (that I watch - I've still never seen Lost - No time), it just got a little "Soap-Opera'y" for my tastes after the exodus from New Caprica.

That being said, I may not see every episode when they come on Sci-Fi (although I do have Sci-FI HD now, so I may need to remedy that situation), but I do try to catch up with the episodes online.

That all being said I have 3 hypothesis as who might be the final Cylon.

1) Lt. Felix Gaeta
Evidence - he wrote it better than me: http://www.haibane.info/2008/05/02/cylon-speculation/

To add to that - he was "able to beat the Cylons at computer programming"

Makes good sense.

2) Everyone
Evidence: "It's all happened before, it will all happen again."

3) An unnamed unseen Cylon - on Earth - the Holy Grail in the Photo.
(Dirk Benedict - the Original Starbuck)

I am personally not all that sad that the series is coming to an end. It' provided me with quite a few hours of thought provoking enjoyment, I dig the acting, writing and special effects. They just lost me a bit when they started getting away from the chase, entered the "soap-opera zone", got all metaphysical, started humanizing the Cylons, and lost most of the over-riding "military-vibe" that they nailed the first 2 seasons.

Just my 2 cents.

Something to ponder

Being a resident of a certain western state that is, quite frankly, viewed as being weird byt he rest of our country, I just stumbled upon something interesting.


Seems the local religious majority believes in laying in food. Storage to some, stockpiling to others. I am quite sure it's not a recent trend, but as a minority, I have to say it's kind of disconcerting.

Example: the Food storage calculator
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm

I ran it for my family - these are some serious numbers.

Probably has to do with something about the "local religious majority" being persecuted for all of these years. BUt this is a LOT of food were talking about here.

My reaction can only be likened to being on a cruise ship, then finding out all of the rest of the passengers have put on life vests and nobody told you.


I am now going to research this a bit more...

Oh, joy... and the Crazed American puts a piece of the puzzle together

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/majornews/1917167/Chinese-build-secret-nuclear-submarine-base.html

The Chinese are building a "Secret" submarine base.

Not so secret, is it?

Underground sub pens, berthing for a dozen aircraft carriers.

Good for them.

Job security for the US Navy.

All of a sudden the robust ground penetrating ordinance we were "developing to attack Iran", don't seem so out of place, now do they? They, in fact make a whole lot o' sense. Divine Strake, anyone?

This is what the Crazed American does, he puts disparate pieces of the puzzle together!

Knock me over with a feather... (2nd Amendment blog)

Ladies and gentlemen, I the Crazed American have just read a post on Daily Kos.

Little background for some of you out there. The Crazed American is hard to pin down politically. I'm libertarian to a point (not the "no legal age of consent" point). I guess I am a Jeffersonian Liberal. I believe in freedom and the rights of people to exist without the burden of a "Anything for you / Do anything to you" government.

Daliy Kos is a "liberal" (borderline Marxist) "progressive" blog, that typically gets me with it's "liberal" knack for going way overboard in the Nanny State (Socialist) way. Oh, and the "President Bushitler is responsible for: (insert the name of your favorite calamity here)".

They are also typically mightily anti-Second Amendment. All for the rest of the Civil Liberties, except for #2.

So, I heartily endorse this link:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/21/19133/5152

Go there and be amazed. "Angry Mouse" gets it. I think that he/she also realizes that if the American Government (the party in charge really doesn't matter, does it?) does get a little more aggressive in "taking care of the people", that the anti-gun people in this country (i.e. "anti-gun Liberals") are going to find out first hand what government and other kinds of oppression are really like.

Welcome to the club.

(Hat tip to "To Which I Replied..." http://existingthing.blogspot.com/ and "Say Uncle" http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/04/22/liberals-and-guns/)

Product Review: DISH Network HD

Simple review -

I'll state that I like DISH Network - with a few reservations.

To be Honest, I'd rather have cable - and the high speed Internet that goes along with it. But since the developer who built the neighborhood in which the Mountain Redoubt sits didn't have the foresight to include decent telecom infrastructure, I have nothing saved a jury rigged phone line - it actually runs to the neighbor's junction box by the street. How do I know this?

My rant against Qwest.

Two years ago,I decided to re-sod my yard (maybe re-sod is an incorrect terms, the plants that made up our "yard" were never sod to begin with). So I did the responsible thing and called the "Blue Stake" people. Out they came, when they were supposed to (wonder of wonders), and dutifully put little orange flags where our telco line was supposed to go - from a little green box next tot he street to the junction box on the side of the house. So when I ran the tiller near that section of the lawn I was careful to excavate the actual line, till where the line had been and then rebury the line. At that time I noticed another line that came out of our junction box that went in the back yard... I had already done the other side yard and the back - I had a sinking feeling. My feeling was confirmed when I went inside and picked up the telephone - no dial tone.

Rat-bastards.

Dug up the balance of the mystery line (found the break), spliced the cut, tacked a goodly portion to the side of the house, and carefully and deeply buried the balance of it.

Phone service restored.

This is a sample of the confidence I have in Qwest. I have others, but this was supposed to be a review of DISH.

So anyway, love my new HDTV. Love the Service that I have (America's Top 200 with HD). Two gripes only (and one isn't really a gripe): 1) When I signed up for the HD service, I was told that I'd get a rebate. Rebate is still "processing" Five months later.

2) Discovered last night that I hae allergies to the type of Aspen Trees in the yard - but only when they drop a LOT of pollen, correspondingly I couldn't sleep. So I went down to watch some TV. Discovered I had two additional HD channels (SCIFI and CNN). Hot-diggetty-dog. Why didn't they tell me? Not complaining that loudly, but a quick note on last month's bill would have made me all warm and fuzzy. As it is now, I can try to struggle through the 4th season of Battlestar Galactica in full 720p glory (not really feeling it).

So, if you are like me and have to have Satellite TV, then I recommend DISH Network. Just don't be pissed when the signal cuts out due to snow or rain. Where I live we get LOTS of snow, not so much rain (although the National Weather Service says we should get rain today and snow tomorrow), but like a lot of modern technology - when it works, it's great.

***UPDATE***: Still wish that I could get the HD feed for the Salt Lake ABC Affiliate...

hmmmmmm...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/Story?id=4622268&page=4

I link to page 4 of this article, cause it seems to imply that Colin Powell might be Barrack Obama's running mate?

I think that running mate's are going to be very important in terms of this year's election.

The Crazed American has a GREAT deal of respect for Secretary (General) Powell. I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. I don't care what is party affiliation is. He runs as some one's VP, I will give a great deal of consideration to that candidate. I would almost vote for Hillary if she had Colin Powell as her VP.

I really wish they'd all name their VP selections now...

You've got to be f---in' kidding me....

Please take a moment to read this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/30/wuspols130.xml

(thanks instapundit.com)

The Crazed American's take:

I am by no means a fan of the current crop of ineffective socialists that run the formerly great Democratic Party. Having said that, I know a few Democrats...

So if the above article bears any fruit, and Albert gets the nod, can there not possibly be a HUGE rift formed in the Democratic Party, up to and including open warfare.

Let's put it this way:

Obama is ahead in terms of delegates and popular votes. Let's say that continues to the convention, but some how Clinton is able to sway the super delagtes into voting for her or not voting at all - 1st round of voting gets locked up and it breaks it open and then Al Gore swoops in and takes the nomination - it's stealing (worse than 2000 - literal "selection not election").

Or let's say that Hillary is able to make a comeback and the same thing happens in reverse.

Will the Democratic party be able to COMPLETELY DISREGARD THE WILL OF ITS MEMBERS? Michigan and Florida do not apply here - their state Party officials CHOSE to violate the rules of the game and SHOULD NOT be allowed to seat delegates according to eh rules set forth by Chairman Dean and the senior officials of the DNC.

Albert's no where on the ballot, anywhere. Folks who are seriously thinking about GIVING him the nomination are setting an explosive path ahead. The Crazed American is of the mind that if the will of the members of the Democratic party can so easily be cast aside, then what's the point of the primary / caucus process. Sane the $$ and just have the delegate appointed.

The American people obviously should not be trusted to pick the DNC's leaders.

Let's ignore the will of the people.

This is funny...

http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=163653&is_large=true

...cause it's true...

Just for your edification - Rob Riggle is a Devil Dog (USCMR - Major).

I love this guy.

Ubiquitous Global Warming Post

Just a quick note...

From Drudge:
http://www.dailytech.com/Temperature+Monitors+Report+Worldwide+Global+Cooling/article10866.htm

It has a graph, therefore it must be true...

Glad I didn't throw out my parka.

Watch next year be super-duper hot. I'm tellin' ya - Muther Nature is messin' with us...

Attention, Attention

I would like to make a declaration.

Since tonight is OSCAR night...

I celebrated the festive occasion by making a point not to watch an awards ceremony that I could, quite literally, not care less about - by watching a 5 year old movie - for the first time.

Tonight I watched the Sam Raimi Spider-Man.

Da-n good flick.

Now I've got to chase down a copy of #2 and 3.

Crazed American - out.

Way to go, Squids!

I am not going to include links on this - trust me when you read this, you'll know what's up.

Three Cheers for the US Navy!

First try, by the way.

Too bad it happened round the same time that the NY Times decided it doesn't, after all, like Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee.

Take that Russkies and Chi-coms... our "test" worked - and apparently can be used from any Aegis equipped cruiser with the right modifications... We have what - 70 or so of those - not to mention, I think the Imperial Japanese Navy ( I mean Maritime Defense Force) has a few of them, too...

Battle over funding between the Navy and the Air Force begins in: three, two, one... right about now.

The Crazed American is stoked to be American tonight.

Hey, President Regan... You were right about that "SDI" Star Wars thing.

Someone should tell the Democrats in Congress who want to kill Missile / Satellite Defense - we have something that works...

Way to go, Navy (who I'm sure got a big assist from the Air Force - sensors and the like)!

Been a while…

OK – time for me to weigh in on a few things.

Today’s list:

1) US Navy shooting down satellites

2) Ice pack growth and thickness

3) US Presidential Race

4) Independence of Kosovo


1) As a character in Buckaroo Banzai once said to Buckaroo – “Don’t make us look bad.” As for the necessity of shooting it down – I say – why the hell not? If we have the technology that might work to do this – do it. Kills a bunch of birds with one (or three) stone(s). Let’s run ‘em down:
a) Demonstrates technology, allows us to develop methodology to do it if we ever have to, ‘specially if the satellite about to be knocked isn’t ours
b) Makes the Chinese and Russians real mad – also makes them a little nervous – that’s not a bad thing
c) Let’s the Navy strut it’s stuff – hasn’t been able to do that for a while
So I say – shoot the thing down. With the levels of confidence coming out of the powers that be – let’s hope that confidence is well placed. I will be mighty upset if I get a 5 ton satellite in my front yard…

2) Multiple sources are saying that January was one of the coldest in the arctic, and that arctic Ice is spreading and thickening. Can we lay off of the Global Warming fear mongering for at least the balance of the winter? All I can say is that the local government had to bring front- end loaders into my neighborhood to reclaim a bit of my street from the snow.

3) Let’s hope that Hillary Clinton sees the light and withdraw gracefully (ala Romney). Won’t hold my breath. Obama seems unbeatable. I like the guy. I may not like the lack of specifics that he puts out there, but he can communicate – and that is a very good start. Sen. McCain seems to be doing a good job of pulling the party together, but then again – what choice do Republicans have?

4) Kosovanian / Kosovari ? what’s the plural? This could be a great thing – it also could re-spark another war – jury’s still out. The Crazed American reserves judgement. We’ll see what the Russians and the Serbs do…

Speaking of the Russians – Vlad’s really rattling sabers. Over-flying our carriers is not a cool thing. Tends to make people like me nervous. Next time the Russkies want to buzz one of our flat-tops – I say we might not want to turn the other cheek…
Also, I need some input – how do we fix our debt situation? Next President (who ever it is) is going to want to spend a bunch of money – how the heck are we going to pay for that?

Dangnabbit.

So I have to vote for John McCain. Can't really bring myself to vote for either of the two Marxists opposing him.

Please Senator McCain, select a Fred Thompson, or Mitt Romney (or Bill Richardson, for that matter) as your VP. Hell, Joe Lieberman falls on the right side of the fence when it comes to the war on terror, and he's a man of principle... It'll make election day a little easier for some of us.

If you really wanted to pull the rug out on the Democrats, a certain Secretary of State is a triple threat - she has some conservative cred, is female and black... Just sayin'...

I'll vote for you, but it'll take some work to make you "my guy". The Crazed American also reserves the right to say "I told you so."

***New Topic***

SIRIUS Elvis Radio and SIRIUSly Sinatra are the coolest parts of having Satellite TV (aside from everything HD).

***New Topic***

The Mountian Redoubt is just about buried. This has been a da-n fine snow year. Hope it doesn't melt all at once - I'd feel really bad abou the flooding downhill and downstream. We've already had more snow this season than all of last season put together. I hope this bodes well for the future.

On that topic, some Canadian Scientists are thinking we might be entering the Maunder Minimum. IF that's true - hello mini ice age! If we go into an ice age, I "might" be able to convince Mrs. Crazed American to let me get a snow blower.


http://ibdeditorial.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=287279412587175

On that happy note, the Crazed American is heading out to clean out my bore hole to the fire hydrant in my front yard. I went through four feet of snow just to get to the top of it...

Crazed American, out.

Super Tuesday?

Now it's over. Time to look at the way it shaped up.

John McCain is now the "presumptive front runner". Good for him.

The Crazed American predicts a McCain / Huckabee ticket - since they were so good at colluding with each other in West Virginia. That's the foundations of teamwork.

John McCain is not liked by the vast majority of conservatives out there.

The Crazed American is of the mind that aside from bankruptcy, the lack of secure borders is the biggest issue facing our country today. John McCain ain't going to do much to fix it, that much is obvious.

It's going to be real hard for me to vote for a McCain / Huckabee ticket, unless: there is a Clinton / Anybody or Anybody / Clinton ticket in opposition. I may have to vote for the same guy I voted for in 1996 - my Dad...

Hillary Clinton is a Marxist - really she is bad news, cause she's just going to keep going with that "43" started - the bankrupting of America. Also, if you look into the Clinton's closet - there are a bunch of skeletons - literal skeletons in there. People who get in her way, typically end up disgraced, or commit suicide, or dissapear. Really - look into it... If she ends up as Veep - don't be suprised if she's not Veep for long...

We need a President who can lead - lead and inspire the people of this country, and stop and reverse the road to bankruptcy, secure the borders and stop the (name your boogeyman) from killing American Citizens. Aside from Sen. Obama, and Gov. Romney's ability to give good speeches, I'm not sure who is out there that fits the bill. No one in my opinion.

We very well might get royally screwed. But someone famous once said - "The Americans can be sure of one thing - they always get the government they deserve."

Does anyone know the procedure for foreclosing on a country? Can you foreclose on a country that's spends a large part of it's mortgage on the most powerful and capable military force in the recorded history of the planet?

Aside from destroying the credit rating of the US, what's to say we don't just wake up one morning and delcare our debt is gone and forgiven? Unilaterally - won't that drop the Chinese and in domino fashion the global economy through the floor? People would stop investing in the US - permanently - or just for a while? One thing is certain - American manufacturing would find itself in a bit of a Renaissance. If the Global Trade system fell apart - how long would it take for the pieces to get picked up? By whom would they get picked up? Sure there would be some hardship on theparts of some - prices in America for the cheap items we enjoy from China might be elevated, but that kind of thing could be prodeced locally or in Mexico.

What if there was a breif, and relatively bloodless war with China - couldn't that be a "way" to relieve our debt to the Chinese?

All of this money is in 1s and 0s in a computer anyway... What if there was a calamity, natural or man made, that caused a disruption in the global communications and banking systems?


The Crazed American is concerned for the future of his beloved homeland. I know that the American people are currently the freest, most capable people on the planet. We'll figure it out - it just may be a little rough getting to the figuring part...

Just musing out loud...

Political Rant

Attention Readers:

I am now going to use this blog as a political scratch pad before I head on out and vote.

Candidates:
Democrat:
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Senator Barck Hussein Obama

Republican:
Senator John McCain
Former Governor Mitt Romney
Former Governor Michael Huckabee
Congressman Doktor Ronald Paul

OK - How the Crazed American's Vote calculus works out: (if registered R/ if registred Independent)
Democrat: (Crazed American doesn't remember if he's still a registered Republican - long story)
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton - 0.0% / 0.0% - Closed Primary State
Senator Barck Hussein Obama - 0.0 / 100.0% - Closed Primary State

Republican:
Senator John McCain 10.0% - just can't jump on the "Straight Talk Express"
Former Governor Mitt Romney - 75.00% - not thrilled on his stance(s) on a number of issues, but if it's Romney or McCain - I have (?) to go with Romney
Former Governor Michael Huckabee - 5.00% - he is a Southern Baptist - Anti-Mormon Bigot
Congressman Doktor Ronald Paul - 0.0% - although I like some of the pro constitution platitudes that he mouths - he has not been quite able to quash the impression that I have that he is more than a tad Anti-Semitic. That's a deal breaker for this Crazed American.

So who will the Crazed American vote for?

I am a man without a candidate - I have no political leader at the moment whose water I'd happily carry. Still kind of dazed and confused from Fred! dropping out. I'm not a fan of McCain, I'm not a fan of Romney. There's an equal chance of me voiting for Sen. Hillary Rodham "more of the same" Clinton. I like Barak Obama, not thrilled with his politics, but as a speaker, leader and man, I think he's cool. If Barak Obama pledges to reduce the national debt, and safeguard the Right to Keep and Bear Arms to law abiding citizens as it currently is on the books, I'd run out right now and get an Obama bumper sticker.

Since I think that I have to vote Republican, my choice is not a happy one - I'm truthfully not sure who I'll press the touchscreen for in this Primary.

Of course when it comes to the National Election, my choice is easy -
If it's Clinton vs. McCain, I'll be for McCain, no sweat.
If it's Obama vs. McCain, I'm frankly not that sure (but I'm actually leaning in the Obama direction).
If it's Obama vs. Romney, again not sure - leaning Romney. In that case - the debates will be mighty interesting - two excellent orators going at it, in a hopefully reasoned and civilized manner. If Clinton is VP with Obama, all bets are off. I'm not saying that she'll arrange for a conveneient accident for President Obama, but it wouldn't be the first time that a Clinton was connected with a "suicide" (Vince Foster, et al) ... (Please Senator Obama, do not select Hillary Clinton as your running mate - if you do, whatever stand you have with me or the legion of Crazed Americans vanishes - poof)

Clinton vs. Paul (who knows) - I'll be unavailable - I'll be out building and stocking a bomb shelter.


As if you could not tell, this blog is not a fan of Hillary Rodham Clinton. I'm not a huge fan of the former President, either, but I'd sit down and have a beer with William Jefferson Clinton, long before I'd consider to do the same with his Marxist "wife".

Senator Clinton, I might be singing a different tune if you had divorced him after leaving the White House. I mean really - you can't even control the wanderings of your "husband" how do you propose to lead a country of almost 400 million?

And please - stop it with the tears. If you cry during a politcal campaign, how are you going to react if / when the US gets attacked again? Unless you're performing a bit of political theatre and plying for sympathy (then you're just deceitful - shocker), you'll make Jimmy Carter look like sweater wearing version Captain America - twin .45's blazing.

Crazed American - ready to sit on a mountaintop and wait for it all to end,

Out.

Sundance '08

Greetings, loyal reader.

Today I shall opine on the annual craziness that grips the town that I call home...

So far, I've seen a former Friends cast member in town, and my wife's cousin thinks she shared an elevator with Andy Garcia. Other than that, the traffic is crazy, and the power downtown went out last night for about an hour downtown.

The only reason I know that is I saw it on Drudge... I avoid downtown during this festival. It's positively crazy.

Also, I hate to say it, but I've seen a bunch of "Sundance" Movies, and well, there's a reason they're independent... Some of them are good, a very few are great - most of them, however, "aren't for a large or mainstream audience".

"Aren't for a large or mainstream audience" is a REALLY nice way of saying that they suck. When they suck, I mean that a lot of them lack good writing, directing or acting, or even a cogent plot. Some of them are done for shock value. They just aren't very good movies, in my humble opinion. The Sundance experience is fun, however, when I have time in my life to waste four or five hours.

"But, Crazed American, those movies are two hours long!" you might say. The run time is indeed 2 hours, but the actual parking, walking to the venue, waiting in line, and return walk and trip - all make it add up. That is why the Crazed American will be attending the "Best of the Fest" both of the Audience Award and Jury Award films. I will see one, then the other.

Two reasons that I am doing this - 1) the Crazed American is still fascinated by acting and the art of film making, and I HOPE to be entertained; and 2) the festival gives the tickets away for free to locals.

Went and saw the Jury award winner, I think. To me it was a typical Sundance movie. Hell, to be honest, I don't even remember the title. Let's see - drug use (typically heroin) - check; prostitution - check; deception - check; murder - check; rape - check; utterly depressing - check; made me happy when the credits rolled - check; for the most part forgettable - check.

The Crazed American likes art films (sometimes). For me, I need to see a gripping story (writing) or top flight acting and direction (you can't have one without the other). I'll see a character piece if the acting and direction can carry me past a lacking story. Or if the story is really cool, then I'm there, as long as the director is worth his salt. To me films fall apart if one of the three legs of the drama stool is broken (writing, acting or directing). Weirdness for weirdness sake is cool for about 5 minutes.

Well, I am happy to state that Sundance is in the winding down phase. The first weekend is always the most crazy. Hollywood people running about, disrupting the peace of my little mountain town. It started on Thursday, so I've only got until next Monday. Can't say that it ain't fun, one of these years, I may have to take two weeks off of work, call up some old drama buddies and do the whole thing right...

Just not this year...

I promise film reviews of both of the "Best of Fest" Films after I see them.

Crazed American, out.

New Regular Read

Attention Loyal Reader(s):

Please checkout yon blog of the Broseph: moose-isloose.blogspot.com

My brother's decided to chronicle his path to weight loss, health and the menswear store.

All the best, bro. You've inspired me to loose a few pounds as well. After, of course, I finish drinking this Polygamy Porter. Wasatch Beers, if you're reading this - send me a case a month and I'll regularly post the glories of your products...

Just sayin'...

That might hurt my quest for health. Such is life...

The Hawkeye Caucai

Well, they're over...

The Honorable Senator Barack Obama has won Iowa for the Democrats and Governor Mike Huckabee has won for the Republicans.

Woo hoo. Only 50 more of these durn things to go.

For the record, the Crazed American cares only that The Honorable Senator Hillary Clinton did not win. Or for that matter come in second place - she came in third.

I am one of those people that has to say Anybody But Hillary.

Also, I've determined I want anyone not named Clinton, Bush, or is from anywhere near Texas or Hope, Arkansas. In a country of 300 Million people, can we please strive for this?

So, I'll vote when I can, for who on the ballot in my home state strikes the Crazed American as being the best one who could represent my wishes for the future leadership of our glorious nation.

On a related note - American politics is called a dirty business, and well it probably is. Keep in mind, when a vote gets contested in American it goes to the courts and ends up annoying people for months. In the end, our system figures itself out. Like it or not, we abide by it.

Now look at Kenya. Election contested, 300 die , thousands injured, cities on fire. Not cool.

I love America... as if you couldn't guess.